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Easy Does It

Posted Apr 2, 2013
by Shawn Mitchell
| 0 comments

The Blue Jackets will begin another demanding stretch of their schedule with a game at Nashville on Thursday, the first of nine games in 15 days. Eight of their final 12 games are on the road. The grind of games beyond Wednesday’s trade deadline is daunting, prompting coach Todd Richards to give some of his players a second consecutive day off. The Jackets were off yesterday and held an optional skate today in the Ice Haus.

“I mulled it over on Sunday and talked with coaches,” Richards said. “We finished a tough stretch (on Sunday). That game against Anaheim was tough after being out West. Now on Thursday we start nine games in 15 days. It’s thinking about where you just came from and where you’re going.”

Rest, Richards said, is of utmost importance. The Jackets, in 10th place and a single point out of eight in the Western Conference this morning, must gird for the stretch run.

“It’s a playoff atmosphere in most buildings now,” said center Mark Letestu, whose two-year contract extension was announced this morning.

“It’s nice to get a couple days here to recharge before we go on a pretty important road swing at Nashville and St. Louis, teams we’re competing with. But I’m pretty sure these last 12 games are going to be exciting as any we’ve played this year.”

Today was the second day of one of only three three-day breaks from games this season, and Richards wanted to use it wisely.

“These next 12 are physically, mentally and emotionally demanding,” he said. “We’re going to be looking for rest. What were we going to accomplish out on the ice today as a group? You’ve watched the way we’ve played. Other than our power play, for the most part we were doing the right things.

“For me it was more about keeping certain guys off the ice, making sure they’re fresh, making sure their bodies are healing and their minds and emotions are where you want them to be.”

Forwards Nick Foligno and Brandon Dubinsky were among 14 Jackets who skated today. Foligno (upper body) has missed four consecutive games. Dubinsky (left knee) has missed six straight. But both could potentially return to the lineup on Thursday in Nashville, Richards said. They are expected to be full participants when the Jackets practice on Wednesday.

“Other than Tim Erixon (upper body) we should have everybody out on the ice,” Richards said.

Right wing Jared Boll (lower body) skated on his own today. He, too, will practice on Wednesday.

“He’ll come out and skate with us tomorrow,” Richards said. “He probably won’t be in the full practice when we get into the battle stuff. But he’s close. He’s not far.”

Side dishes

--The Wednesday afternoon trade deadline looms, but perhaps not quite so large as it did last season. Still, Richards said, it is always a distraction. “You’re always looking to improve your team, looking for something, anything that can possibly do that. But we’ve also done a lot of good things here with this group. So it’s that fine line you walk. I don’t know if it’s less of a distraction. Everyone knew what was coming up last year. But there are still possibilities that something could happen, something could not happen. We’ve done a good job – the players have done a good job – putting themselves in this position.”

--Richards indicated he had no instructions to keep any healthy players (i.e. potential trade targets) off the ice today and said he expected them all to participate in Wednesday’s practice.

--Eventful times for Letestu. He and his wife, Brett, are expecting their second child next week. Their son, Caleb, will turn 2 this summer.

--Fleetwood Mac and its crew have taken over Nationwide Arena in advance of Thursday's tour opener. Crew guy is banging on Mick's kit as I type this. He is not Mick, not by a long shot.

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